NCEA Level 2 Physics (91171) 2015 — page 1 of 4
Assessment Schedule – 2015
Physics: Demonstrate understanding of mechanics (91171)
NØ
N1
N2
A3
A4
M5
M6
E7
E8
No relevant
evidence.
Very little
Achievement
evidence.
Some
evidence at
Achievement
level; partial
explanations.
Most
evidence at
Achievement
level.
Nearly all
evidence at
Achievement
level.
Some
evidence at
Merit level
with
remainder at
Achievement
level.
Most
evidence at
Merit level
with some
evidence at
achievement
level.
Evidence
provided
for most
tasks, but
weak or
incomplete
at
Excellence
level.
Evidence
provided for
most tasks and
is accurate and
full at
Excellence
level.
No response;
no relevant
evidence.
1a
2a
3a
4a
2m + 1a
2m + 2a
2m + 1e
1e + 2m + 1a
Other combinations are also possible. However, for M5 or M6 at least one Merit question needs to be correct. For E7 or E8 at
least one Excellence needs to be correct.
Q
Evidence
Achievement
Merit
Fg pointing vertically down for C and G.
Same size for both positions.
Horizontal arrow vH of the same size for
both positions, B and H.
Arrow vV pointing vertically up at D and
pointing vertically down at F, same length.
Two out of three
correct.
All three correct
including relative
size of arrows.
(b)
Vh = 16 cos 42° = 11.89 m s–1 (=12 ms-1)
Vv = 16 sin 42° = 10.71 m s–1 (= 11 ms-1)
Both correct.
(c)
The vertical velocity of the ball is zero at
the top, but the horizontal velocity will be
11.9 m s–1. There are no horizontal forces.
Gravity acts vertically down.
Vertical velocity is
zero.
AND
Horizontal
velocity is
constant.
OR
One correct
velocity with
correct
explanation.
Complete answer
giving reasons why
horizontal velocity
is constant (no
horizontal force) but
vertical velocity
decreases to zero
(gravity).
(d)
Time taken to reach maximum height:
vf = vi + at
0 = 10.71 – 9.8t
t = 1.09 s
Correct time of
1.09 s
Correct total time or
one error in
calculation.
OR
Two correct steps.
ONE
(a)
Total time = 2  1.09 = 2.18 s
Range = d = vt
d = 11.89  2.18
= 26 m
Excellence
Correct answer.
NCEA Level 2 Physics (91171) 2015 — page 2 of 4
TWO
(a)(i)
Either conservation of momentum or
Newton’s first, second or third law. (Cannot
be conservation of energy.)
One correct law.
(ii)
Momentum is conserved.
5.0m = (65 + m)2.2
5.0m – 2.2m = 143
m = 51 kg
Recognition that
momentum is
conserved.
OR
Correct
expression for
pbefore or pafter
OR states
Δp = 143
Correct answer for
mass.
AND
Correct assumption.
(iii)
Momentum was conserved in the absence of
external force.
There is no friction with ice. Friction is an
external force.
States that
momentum is
conserved in the
absence of an
external force.
OR
Recognition of the
absence of
external force
since ice is
frictionless.
Reasons out that
friction is an
external force and
this is zero due to
the presence of ice,
in order for
momentum to be
conserved.
(b)
Janet must bend her knees while jumping to
the ground. Bending her knees increases her
stopping time so the force decreases. This is
because the change in momentum remains the
same.
Janet needs to
bend her knees.
Janet needs to bend
her knees.
AND
Recognition that
this increases
stopping time, thus
reducing the force.
p = Ft
Accept correct argument in terms of F = ma.
(c)
Her momentum is not conserved. This is
because gravity acts as an external force.
Correct answer
with reason.
Complete answer
including p is the
same regardless of
whether the knees
are bent or not.
NCEA Level 2 Physics (91171) 2015 — page 3 of 4
THREE
(a)
All three arrows
correct Fg, Ff, Fr
and labelled (with
directions not
perfect).
OR
Two forces
perfectly correct –
ignoring ‘extras’.
Arrows drawn such
that there is a 90
angle between Fr
and Ff, and Fg is
vertically down and
no extra forces.
(b)
Forces are
balanced.
(NB do not accept
‘equal’.)
Complete answer.
Accept labelled
closed vector
triangle with force
directions approx.
correct as the
reason why forces
are balanced.
Recognition of the
components of
gravity acting into
the slope = Fr.
OR
Component of Fg
into the slope =
Friction force up
the slope.
OR calculates Fg
correctly.
One mistake.
E.g. both Ff and Fr
calculated
correctly, but no
statement of which
is which.
Correct value of
k.
OR
One error in
calculation.
(Allow © for k
value.)
Correct answer.
Forces are balanced/in equilibrium. So, the
component of gravity down the slope =
friction force, and the component of gravity
into the slope = reaction force.
(c)
Fg =1500  9.8 =14700 N
Component of gravity acting into the ground
= 14 700 cos12° = 14378 N
This is equal to reaction force.
Component of gravity acting down the slope
= 14 700 sin12° = 3056 N
Hence friction force acting up the slope =
3056 N.
Since car is stationary, component of Fg into
the slope = Fr.
And component of Fg down the slope = Ff up
the slope.
(d)
F = -kx Þ k =
F
x
65 ´ 9.8
= 8493 N m -1
0.075
1
1
EP = kx 2 Þ ´ 8493 ´ 0.075 2
2
2
EP = 24 J
k=
OR
1
1
Fx Þ ´ 65 ´ 9.8 ´ 0.075
2
2
EP = 24 J
EP =
All correct.
NCEA Level 2 Physics (91171) 2015 — page 4 of 4
FOUR
(a)
Even though the ball is travelling at constant
speed, it is changing its direction of motion
continuously. A change in either speed or
direction is acceleration, hence the ball in
circular motion is accelerating.
Correct answer.
(b)
v=
2πr 2 ´ π ´ 0.75
=
= 5.61 m s -1
T
0.84
v2
5.612
a= ®a=
= 42 m s-1
r
0.75
Correct answer
for velocity.
OR a calculated
correctly with ©.
Correct answer.
(c)
The tension in the cord provides centripetal
force, which is the unbalanced force (causing
acceleration).
Tension provides
the centripetal
force.
Recognition that
tension is the
unbalanced force
(that causes
acceleration).
(d)
Taking B as pivot (or moments about B),
FA ´ 1.5 = (7.4 ´ 9.8 ´ 0.45) + (37 ´ 9.8 ´ 0.75)
Correct
substitution for
one direction of
torque about
specified end.
AND correct
torques.
One mistake.
E.g. final answer
for FB (232 N)
instead of FA
FA ´ 1.5 = 32.6 + 271.95
304.55
= 203 N
1.5
FA = 200 N
FA =
All correct.
Cut Scores
Not Achieved
Achievement
Achievement with Merit
Achievement with Excellence
0–7
8 – 16
17 – 24
25 – 32